Titanium matrix composites (TMCs) offer high specific strength and stiffness compared with steel and nickel-base materials. High-temperature TMCs can offer up to 50% weight reduction relative to monolithic superalloys while maintaining equivalent strength and stiffness in jet engine propulsion systems. Regardless of the reinforcements are continuous fibres or discontinuous particulates, the unique properties of TMCs have thrust them to the forefront of extensive research and development programmes around the world. Even though TMCs are one of the most studied and sought-after material systems, useful information about their properties, fabrication methods and design is scattered in the literature. This review covers important research work that has led to the advances in TMCs material systems. It also provides comprehensive details about common reinforcements, manufacturing processes, and reviews static and dynamic properties of some common TMCs. The review also presents common industrial applications of TMCs and highlights the promising outlook of TMCs.

Titanium metal matrix composites: An overview

The conflict between strength and ductility is vital problem for the metals. Titanium matrix composites (TMCs) have high strength but usually with a severe room temperature brittleness. Herein, a network distribution of nanodiamond (ND) reinforcements in the TMCs was achieved for the first time. The phases, microstructure, mechanical properties and strengthening mechanisms of the TMCs with network architectures were systemically studied. Experimental results showed that the reinforcements had a network distribution in the Ti matrix and the diameter of networks was 100–200 μm. Higher tensile yield strength (σ0.2) with excellent ductility (e) can be obtained in the nanocomposites. The in-situ formed TiC and residual NDs in the network boundary played the role of reinforcing phases, while the internal matrix of the network still maintained high ductility of the pure Ti. Eventually, the conflicts between strength and ductility of the TMCs have been reconciled effectively by the controllable spatial network distribution of the nano-reinforcements.

Nanodiamonds reinforced titanium matrix nanocomposites with network architecture

Composites are light in weight when compared to woods and metals. It consists of two or more distinct phases such as matrix phase and a dispersed phase. Metal matrix composites are expensive and limitations in achieving stiffness and toughness for materials to overcome these limitations, hybrid metal matrix composites (HMMC’s) are fabricated and designed. In recent years hybrid metal matrix composites (HMMC’s) are plays a vital role especially in material science in the field of aerospace, marine, transportation, military and structural applications. Aluminium (Al) based metal matrix hybrid composites are used extensively in the field of automotive industries due to its low density and high strength-to-weight ratio. In the present study, aluminium A356 alloy with different weight fractions (0, 5, 7.5, 10 and 12.5%) of RHA and Fly ash reinforced hybrid composites are fabricated by using double stir casting technique. Determination the effect of the addition of organic (RHA) and in-organic (Fly Ash) reinforcement with aluminium A356 alloy on the physical and mechanical properties such as hardness, density and porosity were studied. FE-SEM, XRD, and EDS were analysed for A356 alloy/RHA-Fly Ash hybrid composite. The size distribution of the matrix alloy and reinforcement particles was measured using particle size. A significant improvement in the mechanical property was observed when adding the reinforcement with as-cast aluminium matrix alloy.

Fabrication and Characterization of Organic and In-Organic Reinforced A356 Aluminium Matrix Hybrid Composite by Improved Double-Stir Casting

The interest for lightweight and high-temperature materials for critical innovative applications is expanding in numerous modern industries. Reinforcing ceramic particles with micro/nano-scale sizes into titanium alloys is distinguished, thereby increasing the hardness and wear resistance. Alternatively, reduction in particles sizes also helps in increasing the strength, ductility, and creep resistance of the reinforced materials. Nano-ceramic has significant improvement in mechanical properties of a material, which makes it practically a good reinforcement in metal composites. Recent advancement in nanotechnology area demands innovative improvement in metal matrix composite for critical and functional applications. The effects of micro/nanomaterial dispersion in the metal matrix composite are spoken about and the formation of unexpected interfacial reaction on these properties. Powder metallurgy is a process where powder materials are being compacted or sintered in the furnace with the perspective of accomplishing higher densities. Spark plasma sintering techniques have a favorable condition over other sintering methods since it tends to decrease the sintering time with high temperatures, attaining higher densities, microstructural evolution, and the tendency to improve the mechanical properties of the material. This review focuses on the fabrication and mechanical properties of titanium alloy strengthening with micro/nano-ceramics.

Titanium-based matrix composites reinforced with particulate, microstructure, and mechanical properties using spark plasma sintering technique: a review

Effect of nano-yttria stabilized zirconia addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V parts manufactured by selective laser melting

V. Ananthi

Papers

Production and mechanical properties of nano SiC particle reinforced Ti–6Al–4V matrix composite